Chapter 56 "Sorry You Had to Go Through This"
Pearl grimaced.
It hurt, so it wasn't a dream.
Oscar was really pressing her feet.
Oscar noticed her expression and thought he had applied too much pressure. He instinctively asked, "Did I hurt you?"
Pearl shook her head, "No, it's not that."
She paused, her nose a little wet, and said, "I just never thought you would do something like this."
To her, his tenderness was an overwhelming gift.
Oscar lifted his deep-set eyes, their fast pace and a hint of pity, and said softly, "I'm sorry you've been put through this."
Pearl shook her head without speaking.
She wasn't aggrieved.
It was just a case of unrequited love.
The warmth of Oscar’s hands as he massaged her feet made Pearl's discomfort melt away.
She focused intently on watching him, basking in his tenderness while also keeping a clear head.
Her gaze landed on his profound eyes, his straight nose, and then his luscious lips...
At that moment, she felt a surge of emotion and finally could not help but call out, "Oscar."
At the sound, Oscar looked up, puzzled.
Pearl wrapped her arms gently around his neck and leaned in for a kiss.
Her lips pressed firmly against his, using all her courage and conveying her love for him and the many years she had waited.
Oscar was stunned for several seconds before his expression deepened, and with one arm, he wrapped around her waist and deepened the kiss in return.
"President Oscar, the shoes have been brought," Harold said, hurrying over and stopping dead in his tracks at the scene before him, utterly embarrassed and unsure of what to do.
Like someone caught in a misdeed, Pearl quickly pushed Oscar away, wiped off the marks on her lips, and turned her head aside.
Only Oscar, his face calm, looked at Harold with dissatisfaction.
Harold stammered, "I... I came at a bad time."
As he made to leave, Pearl, in a panic, stopped him, "Come back. Harold, is there something you need?"
Harold responded under Oscar's almost lethal gaze, "President Oscar was worried that Madam's feet might hurt, so he sent me to buy flat shoes. I've got them right here."
Knowing Harold was aware of her status made Pearl, the CEO, feel awkward. They used to be colleagues, so things weren't so formal, and now even a simple address made her feel uncomfortable.
"Bring them here," Oscar commanded with a cold voice.
With the command given, Harold quickly brought the shoes over.
Oscar took the shoes and put them on for her.
It was then that Pearl realized how attentive Oscar could be—he knew without her saying that her feet were aching and that high heels weren't suitable anymore.
Oscar knelt down and changed her shoes.
At that moment, Pearl had the illusion that she was the one he cherished most.
"All set," Oscar announced as he stood up.
Pearl took a few steps and felt relief but was concerned, "Is it okay to wear these?"
"Nothing is fine if you're not in pain."
Oscar didn't want her to suffer, to wear down her feet.
Pearl's heart warmed, and for a moment, she felt that their interaction was quite pleasant—she was happy and felt valued.
But this idea lasted only a brief few seconds.
She followed Oscar out.
Oscar took her to the dining area, suggesting she grab a bite to eat.
The auction was about to commence.
People were arriving one after another, and Pearl, anxious about being late, was reassured by Oscar, "Have a good meal before you go. No need to rush."
Seeing that he stayed with her, Pearl knew he shouldn't miss the event because of her, so she quickly said, "You go ahead then. I'll come over once I've finished eating."
"Alright," Oscar said, patting her hair and asking Harold to keep her company before leaving on his own.
Pearl sat down for the snack, and, turning to Harold, he politely asked, "Madam, would you like some water?"
"You can call me Secretary Pearl," Pearl said. "You changing the way you address me suddenly is a bit unsettling, and we are out in public with many eyes on us."
Harold was puzzled; clearly, they were married, yet they chose to hide it.
It wasn't his place to ask about their affairs.
He simply respected Pearl's request, "Very well, Secretary Pearl."
Pearl was almost done with her meal when she decided to head over to the auction.
Suddenly, she bumped into someone, and out of professional habit, she quickly apologized, "Sorry for bumping into you."
"No worries, Miss Pearl. Thank you for that lemon water earlier."
She looked up to see it was Eileen.
Polite as always, Pearl greeted her, "Miss Eileen."
Eileen smiled kindly and shook hands with her, "Miss Pearl, you look lovely today. No wonder you enchant President Oscar."
Pearl immediately distanced herself from any implications, "Oh no, Miss Eileen, you're mistaken. I'm President Oscar's secretary. I'm merely accompanying him as part of my job. President Oscar is married, after all, and I'm just a secretary, so let's not stir up any misunderstandings."
Eileen looked at Pearl, pausing for a while before replying, "My apologies if I've spoken out of turn. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Pearl said. "The auction is starting; you go in first, Miss Eileen."
"Okay."
After this brief encounter, they entered one after the other.
The climax of the evening was the charity auction.
Barring any special circumstances, the Brown Group held it annually.
The proceeds were always donated to the Brown Group's charity foundation for children in the mountain regions.
She searched for Oscar among the crowd, only to see him engaged in a lively conversation with Haley and a director.
She hesitated, not wishing to interrupt.
She could overhear the idle chatter of the others nearby.
Even though Oscar had admitted he was married, his relationship with Haley was still intriguingly patient.
The identity of the woman behind him was unclear, but it was certain that Oscar was Haley's financial backer.
Was there any doubt?
It was obvious.
On the surface, Pearl seemed indifferent, but her gaze occasionally still fell upon them.
They parted ways only when the auction officially began.
Haley didn't sit with Oscar, but she stayed close to Mrs. Brown, indicating that her ties to the Brown family were substantial despite any prior faux pas.
Mrs. Brown clearly thought highly of her.
"What are you thinking about?" asked Oscar when he noticed her daydreaming.
Pearl snapped back to reality, "Oh, nothing. I just saw you chatting with someone earlier. Looked like a director. I didn't realize you were interested in the entertainment industry."
Oscar sat down, cool and detached, "Talked for a bit."
With just that simple response, Pearl understood that he was indeed interested.
Was it because Haley wanted to break into show business that he was paying such close attention?
Suddenly, Pearl thought of Eileen. With Oscar in her corner, Haley's success seemed effortless, probably even usurping some opportunities from Eileen.
The first item was jewelry during the auction, and the bidding was fierce.
Before long, she overheard Mrs. Brown say, "Haley, do you like that piece of jewelry? If you do, I'll bid for it."
Haley responded, "Auntie, please don't. It's too extravagant. I've troubled you enough."
"As long as you like it, I'm happy. What trouble?" replied Mrs. Brown cheerfully, raising her bid paddle to ten million.
It was a sapphire necklace set.
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